Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Fishing Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-28-2011, 01:34 PM
Easywean Easywean is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 113
Default Best line for River fishing walleye/pike/etc

Hello all,

Just wanted to get an opinion on what line you think is the best for fishing the rivers for walleye/pike/goldeye/etc....

I mostly fish the Red Deer River. Throwing spoons, rigs, rapalas....nothing too huge. Right now using Stren original low vis green mono on 3 spinners and clear Stren mono 8lb on a baitcaster (that's what it came spooled with).

Any input appreciated! thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-28-2011, 02:14 PM
FishingFrenzy FishingFrenzy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,844
Cool

POWERPRO!!!! Or really any superline: fireline, spiderwire, power pro, suffix, etc..

However, Powerpro is best IMO (Suffix is supposed to be great as well but I havent used it). Once you go to braid you will never go back...
No stretch, super strong, no line memory, only have to replace every 2 years, etc, etc

Now of course, this is a matter of opinion and im sure someone will post that they hate braid..
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-28-2011, 02:19 PM
Alberta Bigbore's Avatar
Alberta Bigbore Alberta Bigbore is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 16,957
Default

Good old Trilene XL....... if working lures and jigs in high snag areas which is pretty much the whole river...... you can at least break it free. When using lines like Powerpro... I'll use a mono leader. Its not fun trying to reel in a crankbait that snagged a shopping cart in the NSR
__________________
Alberta Bigbore
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-28-2011, 02:21 PM
gonefishin's Avatar
gonefishin gonefishin is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Wainwright
Posts: 1,361
Default

Braids have their time and place but if you just want a generic all-purpose line, I would go with Berkley Sensation. It's strong, abrasion resistant and low-stretch. And like Bigbore said, if you do use a braid, use a mono leader.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-28-2011, 02:24 PM
BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Saskatchewan Ab
Posts: 8,926
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore View Post
Good old Trilene XL....... if working lures and jigs in high snag areas which is pretty much the whole river...... you can at least break it free. When using lines like Powerpro... I'll use a mono leader. Its not fun trying to reel in a crankbait that snagged a shopping cart in the NSR
Well If you quit fishing by the beverly bridge this wouldnt happen .
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-28-2011, 04:07 PM
Alberta Bigbore's Avatar
Alberta Bigbore Alberta Bigbore is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 16,957
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGBADJOHN View Post
Well If you quit fishing by the beverly bridge this wouldnt happen .
oh noez....... Some one quick.... call an ambulance and take me to the Burn Unit.

__________________
Alberta Bigbore
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-28-2011, 04:15 PM
AxeMan's Avatar
AxeMan AxeMan is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Alberta
Posts: 2,136
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore View Post
Good old Trilene XL.......
I agree, AB.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-28-2011, 04:19 PM
Albertafisher Albertafisher is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,016
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy View Post
POWERPRO!!!! Or really any superline: fireline, spiderwire, power pro, suffix, etc..

However, Powerpro is best IMO (Suffix is supposed to be great as well but I havent used it). Once you go to braid you will never go back...
No stretch, super strong, no line memory, only have to replace every 2 years, etc, etc

Now of course, this is a matter of opinion and im sure someone will post that they hate braid..
2x
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-28-2011, 04:26 PM
bloopbloob's Avatar
bloopbloob bloopbloob is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Camrose
Posts: 2,359
Default

I have yet to find a line i like more than spiderwire ultracast. 10lb strength, 2lb diameter. Very soft and flexible, unlike some of the other lines which seem more popular. I don't use a leader with it fishing for pike and don't remember ever losing a fish because of the line. Very tough stuff. Picked up some 10lb suffix 832 for this summer, because everyone seems to think very highly of it. haven't tried it yet, but first thing I noticed was how much stiffer it is (it's also thicker, 4lb diameter). Only issue I have with the spiderwire is that it detiorates fast, I'd say 2 seasons max.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-28-2011, 05:15 PM
Cal Cal is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: slave lake
Posts: 4,221
Default

I use 10 lb mono. Particularly in rivers I've had better luck with the stiffer mono's like Maxima or Trilene XT. I switched from 12lb XL to 10lb XT a few years ago and find I lose less gear. I tryed braid for a couple seasons as well and did not feel that its advantages were great enough to overcome its dissadvantages. Just a question to the people who tie a mono leader on the end of their braid, could you please point out to me the advantage of having braid at all in such a situation?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-28-2011, 05:51 PM
bloopbloob's Avatar
bloopbloob bloopbloob is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Camrose
Posts: 2,359
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal View Post
I use 10 lb mono. Particularly in rivers I've had better luck with the stiffer mono's like Maxima or Trilene XT. I switched from 12lb XL to 10lb XT a few years ago and find I lose less gear. I tryed braid for a couple seasons as well and did not feel that its advantages were great enough to overcome its dissadvantages. Just a question to the people who tie a mono leader on the end of their braid, could you please point out to me the advantage of having braid at all in such a situation?
When I add a leader, its usually fluoro, but have on occasion used mono, just for trout. When you have mostly braided line out and only a foot or two of mono leader, you get the increased castability of 2lb diameter line, no stretch, better sensitivity.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-28-2011, 07:59 PM
Alberta Bigbore's Avatar
Alberta Bigbore Alberta Bigbore is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 16,957
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal View Post
Just a question to the people who tie a mono leader on the end of their braid, could you please point out to me the advantage of having braid at all in such a situation?
In a river situation... if im using a braid... ill add a mono leader so I can snap of a harsh snag. I have seen people ruin rod guides, cut their finger/hands trying to free snags with braids and other superlines.
__________________
Alberta Bigbore
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-28-2011, 08:03 PM
SonnyJ SonnyJ is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,790
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore View Post
In a river situation... if im using a braid... ill add a mono leader so I can snap of a harsh snag. I have seen people ruin rod guides, cut their finger/hands trying to free snags with braids and other superlines.
Wrap your line around a stick and then pull on it,I've straightened hooks out doing this but still had the lure..
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-28-2011, 08:09 PM
Geezle's Avatar
Geezle Geezle is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 8,144
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore View Post
In a river situation... if im using a braid... ill add a mono leader so I can snap of a harsh snag. I have seen people ruin rod guides, cut their finger/hands trying to free snags with braids and other superlines.
I dunno about casting reels, but on a spinning reel you can just point the rod at the snag, grab the spool so it doesn't spin, and pull straight back. Something's going to give, and I've found in most cases it's the hook. At least on the heavy-ish gear I use on the NSR
__________________
Jay: Mostly harmless...

Time, it makes you old. Experience makes you wise. It's only a fool who judges life by what he sees in other peoples' eyes.
- Strung Out

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.
- Douglas Adams
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-28-2011, 08:16 PM
Cal Cal is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: slave lake
Posts: 4,221
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alberta Bigbore View Post
In a river situation... if im using a braid... ill add a mono leader so I can snap of a harsh snag. I have seen people ruin rod guides, cut their finger/hands trying to free snags with braids and other superlines.
Oh no, I understand why you use the mono leader in such an circomstance. Was a little unclear on the purpose of the braid backing though.

The thing I hate though is that when you do break that braid it stays down there, when you get enough guys breaking off heavy line you end up with a tangled mess that can claim more hooks than the snags and sticks themselves. Some of you may have trouble believing this but I often put on snorkle gear and go treasure (rapala) hunting when the river runs clear and the fishing is slow, and I have seen this first hand in many popular holes.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-28-2011, 08:33 PM
FishingFrenzy FishingFrenzy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,844
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal View Post
Oh no, I understand why you use the mono leader in such an circomstance. Was a little unclear on the purpose of the braid backing though.

The thing I hate though is that when you do break that braid it stays down there, when you get enough guys breaking off heavy line you end up with a tangled mess that can claim more hooks than the snags and sticks themselves. Some of you may have trouble believing this but I often put on snorkle gear and go treasure (rapala) hunting when the river runs clear and the fishing is slow, and I have seen this first hand in many popular holes.
Purpose of the braid backing is for the limpness and great casting ability of braid IMO.

Sorry to de-rail but what river do you go rapala hunting in? just out of curiosity.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-28-2011, 09:13 PM
Cal Cal is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: slave lake
Posts: 4,221
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy View Post
Purpose of the braid backing is for the limpness and great casting ability of braid IMO.

Sorry to de-rail but what river do you go rapala hunting in? just out of curiosity.
I go hook hunting in the Lesser Slave river mostly but I've stripped down and went diving in various other locations.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-28-2011, 10:48 PM
FishingFrenzy FishingFrenzy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,844
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal View Post
I go hook hunting in the Lesser Slave river mostly but I've stripped down and went diving in various other locations.
Thats awesome! Im gonna give hook huntin a shot this summer!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-28-2011, 10:51 PM
SonnyJ SonnyJ is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,790
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy View Post
Thats awesome! Im gonna give hook huntin a shot this summer!
Just don't get "Hooked" on it....lol
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 04-28-2011, 11:09 PM
Daceminnow's Avatar
Daceminnow Daceminnow is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,136
Default Lure Hawk

my son is a fish lure hawk. we walk many miles of rivers and streams during the summer months, and if there's a hook to be found he's on it. big clousers and bunnys, rapalas, spoons, spinners you name it. he always follows me and i walk right by all the treasures. he'll have a full box at the end of the season and most of it is like new.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 04-28-2011, 11:21 PM
Mish@ Mish@ is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Calgary
Posts: 225
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy View Post
POWERPRO!!!! Or really any superline: fireline, spiderwire, power pro, suffix, etc..

However, Powerpro is best IMO (Suffix is supposed to be great as well but I havent used it). Once you go to braid you will never go back...
No stretch, super strong, no line memory, only have to replace every 2 years, etc, etc

Now of course, this is a matter of opinion and im sure someone will post that they hate braid..
Power pro 20 LB test is the best!
__________________
Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 04-29-2011, 08:38 AM
FishingFrenzy FishingFrenzy is offline
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,844
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mish@ View Post
Power pro 20 LB test is the best!
Depends on the species, i just picked up some in 5lb test for trout!
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 04-29-2011, 09:04 AM
Mish@ Mish@ is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Calgary
Posts: 225
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy View Post
Depends on the species, i just picked up some in 5lb test for trout!
For trout I use 6 lb Fireline Crystal with a monofiloment or fluorocarbon leader leader
__________________
Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 04-29-2011, 09:05 AM
BigJon BigJon is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Peace River
Posts: 1,264
Default

I have used many different kinds of line and always go back to Trilene XL in 6 or 8 lb. test depending on the rod/reel combo and it's intended uses.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 04-29-2011, 06:03 PM
Easywean Easywean is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 113
Default

Thanks for all the help!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:12 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.